10th Annual Water and Wastewater Regional Conference 2026

DAY 1

FEBRUARY 25, 2026 AT ICT (3295 BOB ROGERS DR.)

EXHIBITION ROOM

1:00-5:00 pm

REGISTRATION

1:00-6:00 pm

VENDOR AND ATTENDEE MEET AND GREET AT ICT (EVERYONE IS INVITED-ATTENDEES INTERACT WITH VENDORS AND OTHER ATTENDEES)- TRANSPORTATION WILL BE PROVIDED FROM LUCKY EAGLE HOTEL TO ICT AND FROM ICT TO LUCKY EAGLE HOTEL

2:00 and 3:00 pm

Transportation buses will depart from Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel to the ICT at 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Please arrive 10 minutes early

3:00-5:00 pm

CONTESTS FOR ATTENDEES (ALL ATTENDEES WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS CONTESTS)

5:30 and 5:45 pm

Transportation buses will depart from ICT to Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel at 5:30 PM and 5:45 PM.

DAY 2

FEBRUARY 26, 2026 AT ICT (3295 BOB ROGERS DR.)        

*TCEQ CREDIT HOURS W/ WW/ CSI*

GENERAL SESSIONS/LUNCH ROOM (EVERYONE)

8:00-2:00 pm

REGISTRATION

8:25-8:30 am

OPENING REMARKS – AARON VALDEZ, MAYOR OF EAGLE PASS

8:30-8:35

OPENING REMARKS – RAMSEY E. CANTU, MAVERICK COUNTY JUDGE

8:35-8:40

INTRODUCTIONS – JORGE BARRERA, EAGLE PASS WATER WORKS

8:45-9:10

WATER WARRIORS-TRAINING OUR FUTURE WATER LEADERS-EPWWS WATER  

WARRIORS LEADERSHIP GROUP, CC WINN AND EAGLE PASS HS STUDENTS 

9:15-9:45

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES – STATE REP. HERIBERTO MORALES, DISTRICT 74

TRACT A-WEST ROOM

9:50-10:20

LESSONS LEARNED-LOOKINGAT THE FUTURE OF DESALINATION IN TEXAS – JOHN BYRUM, NUECES RIVER AUTHORITY 

10:25-10:55

FINANCIAL AND BOND SERVICES FOR FUTURE PROJECTS-JUAN AGUILERA, ESCAMILLA & PONECK

11:00-11:30         

EQUITY AND INNOVATION IN UTILITY FINANCE -JEFF SNOWDEN, CAPEX CONSULTING

11:35-12:05        

SAWS WASTEWATER FACILITIES MASTER PLANNING-Hari Ponnekanti, SAN ANTONIO WATER SUPPLY

TRACT B- EAST ROOM FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER OPERATIONS TOPICS

9:50-10:20

BACKFLOW PROGRAMS: WHERE SHOULD YOU START-  KATHERINE MCGLAUGHLIN, TCEQ 

Topic will discuss the 3 essential elements to a backflow program and the information on getting a program on the path to compliance 

10:25-10:55 

BACK TO THE FUTURE-MANHOLE REHABILITATION- ANGEL LEON, LAREDO WATER 

11:00-11:30

NAVIGATING THE TXDOT UTILITY PERMIT PROCESS -VANESSA HERRERA, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (TXDOT) 

11:35-12:05

BORDER TUNNELS-LAREDO EDITION-IGNACIO HINOJOSA, ARDURRA

Topic will look at enhancing system flexibility through smarter use of existing waste water assets  

GENERAL SESSIONS/LUNCH ROOM (EVERYONE)

12:10-1:30           

LUNCH -PROVIDED  

1:15-2:00

VENDOR INTERACTION

TRACT A-WEST ROOM

2:00-2:30  

Fluid Control Products – Getting it right from the start. (Slide gates, Stop Logs, Flap Valves) By: Doug Thomas (Alfa Laval)

2:35-3:05

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES— RUBEN BARRERA, LANGLEY & BANACK 

3:10-3:40

HOW TO UTILIZE AN ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM TO SECURE FUNDING, LOWER OPERATING COSTS, IMPROVE OPERATIONS AND PRIORITIZE REPAIR-PHIL GILAN, TETRA TECH INC.  

3:45-4:15

COMPLETING OUR VISION: THE WATER PLANT EXPANSION EVOLUTION- RAUL GOMEZ, EAGLE PASS WATER WORKS SYSTEM 

TRACT B- EAST ROOM FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER OPERATIONS TOPICS

2:00-2:30 

DETERMINING THE RETURN OF INVESTMENT OF GIS PROJECTS-DAVID PRITCHARD, TEXIAN GEOSPATIAL 

Presentation will explore the capabilities of high precision GNSS systems used in conjunction with the collector for ArcGIS app.  Technology allows the user to collect data with accuracies of 1-3-centimeter accuracy in real time with GNSS and your own smartphone or table device 

2:35-3:05

WATER TANK INSPECTIONS-HOW TO SUSTAINABLY MANAGE THE RISK OF YOUR WATER TANK WITHIN YOUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN- SPENCER WILLMON, MAGUIRE IRON

Presentation will discuss various types of water storage tanks, their life cycle costs and proactive vs reactive approaches to long term maintenance  

3:10-3:40

SOURCE WATER PROTECTION AND BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES-FRANK HERNANDEZ, TEXAS RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION 

Presentation provides an overview of the Source Water Protection program and Best Management Practices tailored to small rural communities in Texas.  Highlights common local risks to drinking water sources and practical, cost-effective strategies communities can use to protect water quality and ensure long-term reliability 

3:45-4:15

EVENT TRACKING-MOVING BEYOND ASSETS- ADAM BROYLES, HYDROPRO SOLUTIONS

5:00

Transportation buses will depart from Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel to the Benjamin at 5:00 PM. Please arrive 10 minutes early

5:00-9:00

FIESTA CELEBRATION AT THE BENJAMIN 475 N. Adams (EVERYONE IS INVITED) 

5:30-6:30

Los Envuelados Band

6:30-8:00

Dustin De La Garza Band 

8:00-9:00

Los Envuelados Band 

8:45

Transportation buses will depart from The Benjamin to the Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel at 8:45 PM. Please arrive 10 minutes early

DAY 3

FEBRUARY 27, 2026

GENERAL SESSIONS/LUNCH ROOM (EVERYONE)

9:00-10:00 AM   

BREAKFAST

10:00-11:00

RAFFLES, AWARDS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

11:00                    

END OF CONFERENCE